Weapon targeting system

ABSTRACT

A wearable electronic device displays an impact location that shows where a projectile fired from a weapon will hit a target and displays a bullseye location that shows a desired location where to hit the target. The wearable electronic device indicates firing the weapon when the impact location overlaps with the bullseye location.

BACKGROUND

Bows and arrows, guns, and other handheld weapons often include atargeting device that assists a shooter in aiming the weapon. Forexample, some weapons include a scope or a sight to help the shooter aimthe weapon in order to hit an intended target.

Advancements in weapon targeting devices and systems will further assistshooters in aiming weapons and hitting intended targets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a method to provide an indication to shoot a weapon when animpact location of a projectile overlaps with a bullseye location inaccordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a method to present a desired target impact location (DTIL) ora bullseye location on a target in accordance with an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a method to superimpose an image on a target in accordancewith an example embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a method to fire a weapon for a shooter when an impactlocation moves onto or over a desired target impact location inaccordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 5A shows an electronic device with a display that displays a targetin accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 5B shows the electronic device in which a weapon targeting systemis activated in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 5C shows the electronic device in which the weapon targeting systemprovides a notification or alert that an impact location moves withinproximity of the target in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 5D shows the electronic device in which the impact location alignson a desired target impact location in accordance with an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a user interacting with a weapon targeting system to aim aweapon with visual information presented in a field of view on orthrough a pair of wearable electronic glasses in accordance with anexample embodiment.

FIG. 7A shows an electronic device with a display that displays a targetwith an image displayed on or over the target in accordance with anexample embodiment.

FIG. 7B shows the electronic device with the image displayed on or overthe target such that the target is not visible on the display inaccordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 7C shows the electronic device with an enlarged image displayed onor over the target such that the target is not visible on the display inaccordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 7D shows the electronic device with an image displayed on or overthe target such that the target is not visible on the display inaccordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 8A shows an electronic device with a display that displays a targetwith an image shown as a bullseye location or a desired target impactlocation that appears on or over the target in accordance with anexample embodiment.

FIG. 8B shows the electronic device with the target with the imageremoved since an object obstructs the target or otherwise interfereswith safely firing on the target with a weapon in accordance with anexample embodiment.

FIG. 8C shows the electronic device with the target with the imagerepositioned or replaced back on the target since the object no longerobstructs the target or otherwise interferes with safely firing on thetarget with the weapon in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a weapon targeting system in accordance with an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 10 is an electronic device in accordance with an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 11 is another electronic device in accordance with an exampleembodiment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One example embodiment is a weapon targeting system.

Another example embodiment includes an electronic device and a weaponthat communicate with each other to target and/or fire on an object.

Another example embodiment includes a wearable electronic device thatdisplays an impact location that shows where a projectile fired from aweapon will hit a target and displays a bullseye location that shows adesired location where to hit the target. The wearable electronic deviceindicates firing the weapon when the impact location overlaps with thebullseye location.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments include systems, apparatus, and methods that includeweapons, electronic devices, and a weapon targeting system.

FIG. 1 is a method to provide an indication to shoot a weapon when animpact location of a projectile overlaps with a bullseye location.

Block 100 states determine a distance to a target.

An electronic or mechanical device measures a distance from a weapon ora projectile to the target and provides this distance to a shooter. Forexample, a laser rangefinder determines a distance to the target. Asanother example, a mil dot scope or milliradian scope providesinformation to determine a distance to a target. As another example,global positioning satellite (GPS) coordinates or satellite positioninformation provides a distance to a target. As yet another example, acamera determines a distance to the target. As yet another example, auser provides or inputs a distance to a target.

The electronic or mechanical device can be a separate device (such as astandalone device) or device integrated with or attached to the weapon,the projectile, or another electronic device. For example, electronicand/or mechanical devices in a bow or a gun determine a distance to atarget. As another example, electronic and/or mechanical devices in oneor more of a wearable electronic device (WED), handheld portableelectronic device (HPED), computer, server, and a satellite determine adistance to the target.

Block 110 states determine, by electronics and based on the distance tothe target, an impact location that shows where a projectile shot from aweapon will hit the target.

The impact location is where the projectile will actually hit or impactthe target and is calculated using one or more of a velocity of theprojectile fired from the weapon, a mass of the projectile, a dragcoefficient of the projectile, an inclination angle of an aimingdirection of the projectile and/or weapon with respect to an axisparallel to ground, and ambient or environmental conditions. Electronicslocated on or in the weapon or in communication with the weaponcalculate and determine the impact location. By way of example, aprocessor located in or on a bow or gun determines an impact location ofan arrow (for a bow) or a bullet (for a gun). As another example, awearable electronic device (WED) and/or computer in communication withthe WED calculates and determines the impact location and provides thisinformation to the weapon, another electronic device, and/or to theuser.

Block 120 states determine a bullseye location or a desired targetimpact location (DTIL) that represents a desired location where to hitthe target with the projectile.

Electronics located on or in the weapon or in communication with theweapon calculate and determine the bullseye location or DTIL.Alternatively, a user determines this location. By way of example, aprocessor located in or on a bow or gun determines a bullseye locationor the DTIL on a target. As another example, a wearable electronicdevice (WED) and/or computer in communication with the WED calculatesand determines the bullseye location or the DTIL and provides thisinformation to the weapon and/or to the user.

The DTIL or bullseye location can be determined manually orautomatically. For example, an electronic device determines the DTIL orthe bullseye location on an animal to be a location that the projectilewill hit and kill the animal. As another example, a software applicationdetermines that a center of an object at which a weapon is being aimedis the DTIL or the bullseye location. As yet another example, a shooterdetermines that the DTIL or the bullseye location is a location on ananimal that will wound but not kill the animal. As yet another example,a weapon receives a determination that a bullseye location on anautomobile is a front tire or is a location to disable the automobileupon impact of a projectile fired from the weapon.

Block 130 states simultaneously display the impact location of theprojectile and the bullseye location or the DTIL on the target.

The impact location and the bullseye location or the DTIL can bedisplayed on various electronic devices. For example, wearableelectronic glasses (WEG), a wearable electronic device (WED), and/or ahandheld portable electronic device (HPED) in communication with theweapon simultaneously display the impact location of the projectile andthe bullseye location or the DTIL on the target. As another example, anelectronic scope or a sight mounted to or in communication with theweapon displays these locations.

Block 140 states provide an indication to shoot the projectile from theweapon when the impact location overlaps with the bullseye location orthe DTIL.

The indication to shoot includes one or more of a visual indication(such as visible indicia on a display of an electronic device) and anaudible indication (such as a sound originating from an electronicdevice). By way of example, a pair of WEGs, a WED, an electronic scope,or a HPED displays a visual indication to shoot an arrow from a bow or abullet from a gun when the impact location displayed on the WEG, WED,electronic scope, or HPED overlaps, coincides, touches, or aligns withthe bullseye location or DTIL also displayed on the WEG, WED, electronicscope, or HPED.

Consider an example of a weapon targeting system that includes a gunwith electronics that communicate with WEGs that a shooter of the gunwears. The shooter points the gun toward a target. The gun capturesand/or records images or video of the target, and the gun determines thetarget is two hundred meters (200 meters) from the gun. Based on thisdistance, the weapon targeting system calculates an impact location thatis displayed on the WEG. This impact location shows in real-time where abullet fired from the gun will impact the target. The weapon targetingsystem uses object recognition software to recognize the target as adeer, determines a bullseye location above a front shoulder of the deer,and displays visible indicia on the WEG to show the bullseye location.The visible indicia appears on the display of the WEG at a location thatcorresponds to the front shoulder of the deer. The impact locationdisplayed on the WEG moves in real-time and in synchronization withmovement of the gun such that the impact location follows or trackswhere the gun is pointed and where the bullet will strike the target oranother object (e.g., if the gun is not pointed to hit the target). Atthe same time, the bullseye location remains fixed or positioned on thefront shoulder of the deer even as the deer moves. When the impactlocation displayed on the WEG moves onto or over the bullseye locationalso displayed on the WEG, the weapon targeting system generates abeeping sound that the shooter hears in his or her ear from the WEG. Acolor of the bullseye also changes color or brightness when the impactlocation moves onto or over the bullseye location to provide a visualindication to the shooter to fire or shoot the gun.

The weapon targeting system determines an impact location of theprojectile based on one or more of a velocity of the projectile from theweapon, a mass of the projectile, a drag coefficient of the projectile,an inclination angle of an aiming direction of the weapon with respectto an axis parallel to ground, and environmental or ambient conditions.

Gravity, drag (or air resistance), and wind are three external forcesthat alter or affect the trajectory or flight path of the projectile.Gravity forces the projectile to drop from the line of sight. Drag slowsdown or decelerates the projectile with a force proportional to thesquare of its velocity, and wind changes or alters the trajectory orflight path of the projectile from the line of sight.

By way of example, the weapon targeting system determines a ballistictrajectory for the projectile being fired from the weapon and providesthis ballistic trajectory to a weapon and/or an electronic device. Animaginary line down the center of an axis of a bore of a gun or along alength of an arrow positioned in a bow is a line of departure. The lineof departure coincides with the line of sight when the shooter aims theweapon along the line of departure. As the bullet or arrow travelstoward the target, gravity pulls downwardly and deflects the bullet orarrow from the line of departure. This vertical drop for a bullet iscalled bullet drop and for an arrow is called arrow drop. The bulletdrop and the arrow drop are used in ballistic computations to determinethe impact location of the projectile on the target.

The weapon targeting system calculates the projectile drop (e.g., thebullet drop or the arrow drop). A distance (df) an object falls due togravity is a function of time of flight (t), acceleration due to gravity(g), and initial velocity (v). The following equation provides thisdistance (assuming no air resistance):df=vt+(½)gt{circumflex over ( )}2.

Consider an example in which an arrow is shot perpendicular to the pullof gravity (e.g., parallel with the ground) with an initial horizontalvelocity of 300 feet per second (fps). Assuming no air resistance and aflight time of one second, the arrow will travel 300 horizontal feet andabout 16.1 vertical feet (df=0×t+(½)×32.2 feet/second{circumflex over( )}2×1 second{circumflex over ( )}2=16.1 feet). If the intended targetwere 300 feet from the shooter on a level surface and the shooter shotthe arrow level with the ground from a height of 5 feet, then the arrowwould impact the ground after a time of about 0.56 seconds and adistance of about 167 feet (i.e., the arrow would hit the ground about132 feet short of the target).

If the impact location were placed directly along the line of sight ofthe weapon, then the projectile would not hit the target at the impactlocation but would hit the target below the impact location sincegravity would pull the projectile and alter its path along the line ofsight. In order to compensate for bullet drop or arrow drop, the impactlocation is changed from the line of sight or line of departure in orderto increase a positive elevation angle from the line of departure (orfrom the line of sight if these two lines correspond). This changecompensates for the vertical drop of the projectile due to gravity.Altering this location causes an increase in elevation of the muzzle ofthe gun or bow to offset the vertical drop and provides a true or reallocation where the projectile will impact the target. This true or reallocation is impact location of a projectile on an object or a target.

The ballistic trajectory of a projectile or a flight path of theprojectile is the path that the projectile undertakes with the action ofgravity without additional propulsion after launch. For example, thehorizontal distance (d) that an object travels when launched from a flatsurface is a function of its initial height (h), initial velocity (v),acceleration due to gravity (g), and the angle at which the projectileislaunched (θ). The following equation provides this distance:

Furthermore, the time of flight (t) for a projectile to complete thetrajectory is a function of the distance (d), the angle (θ), the initialvelocity (v), and acceleration due to gravity (g). The followingequation provides this time:t=d/v cos θ=(v sin θ+((v sin θ){circumflex over ( )}2+2gh){circumflexover ( )}½)/g.

Further yet, the height (y) of the projectile at a given distance (x) isgiven by the following equation:y=h+x tan θ−(gx{circumflex over ( )}2)/2(v cos θ){circumflex over ( )}2.

Thus, the angle at which the projectile should be launched (θ) can becalculated when the distance (d), the initial velocity (v), and theinitial height of the projectile (h) are known. For example, when theinitial height (h) is zero and the projectile is launched from a flatsurface, then the angle the projectile should be launched (θ) to travela distance (d) is given with the following equation:θ=(½)arc sin(dg/v{circumflex over ( )}2).

This equation can be expanded for instances in which the angle theprojectile should be launched (θ) to hit a target at a distance (x) witha height (y) when fired from a relative X-Y location of (0,0) withrespect to the target is given by the following equation:θ=arc tan(v{circumflex over ( )}2±(v{circumflex over( )}4−g(gx{circumflex over ( )}2+2yv{circumflex over ( )}2)){circumflexover ( )}½/gx).

This equation can be further modified for instances in which polarcoordinates are used instead of X and Y coordinates. In order to hit atarget at a distance (d) with an angle of elevation (ϕ), then the anglethe projectile should be launched (θ) is given by the followingequation:θ=tan {circumflex over ( )}−1((v{circumflex over ( )}2±(v{circumflexover ( )}4−g(gd{circumflex over ( )}2 cos {circumflex over( )}2ϕ+2v{circumflex over ( )}2d sin ϕ)){circumflex over ( )}½)/gd cosϕ).

These equations can be further modified to compensate for drag or airresistance that is proportional to the velocity squared of theprojectile. Drag depends on the properties of the fluid through whichthe projectile is moving and also on the size, the shape, and the speedof the projectile. Drag (Fd) is given by the following equation:Fd=(½)pv{circumflex over ( )}2CdA,

where Fd is the drag force, p is the density of the fluid, v is thespeed of the projectile relative to the fluid, Cd is the dragcoefficient, and A is the orthographic projection of the object or thecross-sectional area. Cd can be measured (for example in a wind tunnel),approximated from known values of Cd of objects with similar size andshape, measured during flight experiments, or determined with software(such as an arrow flight simulator).

Further, the deceleration (Dc) of the projectile is given by thefollowing equation:Dc=(pv{circumflex over ( )}2CdA)/2m,

where m is the mass of the projectile. This equation shows thatdeceleration of the projectile increases with density of the fluid (p),velocity of the projectile (v), and area (A), and decreases with themass (m). For example, heavy and slower arrows have less dragdeceleration, and larger diameter arrows have more drag deceleration.

The ballistic trajectory of a projectile can be calculated or estimatedwhen the drag coefficient is known. The drag coefficient in turn dependson the shape of the object and on its Reynolds number. The ballistictrajectory of the projectile can also calculated or estimated with theballistic coefficient. For example, the drag coefficient (Cd) can becalculated from the ballistic coefficient (BC) with the followingequation:Cd=(Cg)m/(BC)Di{circumflex over ( )}2,

where m is the mass of the projectile, Di is the diameter of theprojectile, BC is the ballistic coefficient, and Cg is the dragcoefficient of a G1 reference projectile. BC values for projectiles(such as arrows) can be calculated from experiments with variousmeasured form factors.

As noted, the line of departure or line of sight does not provide anaccurate location for where the projectile will impact the target sinceexternal forces alter the projectile. Deviations from the line ofdeparture occur from drag, gravity, and ambient or environmentalconditions. The impact location is calculated to compensate for thesedeviations that occur during flight time. The impact location shows auser or a shooter a true or accurate location of where the projectilewill strike the target. Further, as the shooter moves the weapon fromone target to another target or as the target moves (e.g., as thedistance to a target changes), the impact location is re-calculated inreal-time with movement of the weapon and/or movement of the target.

An elevation angle or angular displacement to a target will also affecta trajectory or path of the projectile. For example, a shape of atrajectory path of a projectile is different depending on whethergravity acts on a perpendicular path or an angled path. Gravity providesa downward acceleration on the projectile, and this downwardacceleration causes the projectile to drop from the line of departure.

Projectiles that leave the weapon with a known elevation angle or aknown angle of departure follow a determinable or calculatable ballistictrajectory. This ballistic trajectory, flight path, or trajectory pathis dependent on velocity, gravity, drag, and other ambient orenvironmental conditions. For instance, when the projectile leaves theweapon with a positive elevation angle with respect to ground, theprojectile has both forward and vertical motion. Air resistance slowsthe forward motion, and gravity slows the vertical motion. Thisprojectile initially rises above the line of sight until it reaches anapex point in the trajectory parabola. At this location, the verticalspeed becomes zero, and the projectile begins to descend along thetrajectory path.

Ballistic trajectories provide information to calculate or determineballistic tables. Ballistic tables for bullets, arrows, and otherprojectiles can be used to determine how much elevation correction willbe applied to a line of sight or line of departure for shots at variousdistances given current ambient conditions. This information is storedin memory and retrieved to make adjustments to the impact location.

The speed of the projectile can be obtained, measured, calculated,retrieved, acquired, received, determined, etc. For example, achronograph or chronometer measures a speed of an arrow from the bow asthe arrow passes over two sensors. As another example, projectiles aresold with weight and/or speed information (such as providing consumerswith feet per second (fps) of the ammunition for a gun or arrow for abow). This information can also be retrieved from memory over a network.

Consider an example in which a shooter purchases a crossbow and arrow,and the manufacturer or seller provides the shooter with the followinginformation: 375 feet per second (fps) for a 395 grain arrow.

Ambient or environmental conditions can also affect the projectile.Examples of ambient or environmental conditions include, but are notlimited to, wind speed, wind direction, temperature, humidity, Dopplerradar measurements, precipitation, and elevation or barometric pressure.Instruments to measure ambient or environmental conditions include, butare not limited to, a thermometer, a barometer, a humidity sensor, awind vane, an anemometer, a weather map, a compass, a weather satellite,human eyes, etc. Further, real-time information about environmentalconditions can be obtained from a database, the Internet, weatherstations, etc.

Consider an example in which an electronic device mounted on or includedwith a weapon communicates with a network and a server to obtain currentweather and location information based on a longitude and latitudelocation of the weapon or a global positioning system (GPS) location.The weapon or weapon targeting system receives information (such ascurrent outdoor temperature, wind speed, wind direction, and altitude)and uses this information to calculate an impact location for aprojectile fired from the weapon.

Consider an example in which a shooter provides a weapon or HPED incommunication with the weapon with current weather and locationinformation. For instance, the shooter enters sea elevation, outdoortemperature, and wind speed.

Consider an example in which the weapon targeting system calculates howmuch an arrow will drift from wind with a lateral component. Thiscalculation includes one or more components of initial velocity of thearrow, angle of departure, drag, weight of the arrow, wind speed or windvelocity, wind direction, and flight time. These components can bemeasured, determined, calculated, and/or retrieved. Drag from the windcauses a nock end of the arrow to push or tail off toward the downwindside. This causes the arrow to be cocked or pointed upwind during flight(from a perspective of a shooter). During flight, the arrow will driftdownwind as it travels toward the target. Further, as the arrow travelsin flight with a crosswind, the arrow accelerates with a lateral orsideways velocity. The rate of this lateral acceleration depends on thedrag characteristics of the arrow and on the weight of the arrow. Theweight and drag characteristics of an arrow can be measured ordetermined. Flight time also affects drift since the longer the arrowremains in flight the more the arrow accelerates in the lateraldirection. Flight time depends on distance to target, initial arrowvelocity, and rate of deceleration (drag). These components can also bemeasured, determined, and/or calculated. Thus, the effects of wind onthe trajectory path of the arrow can be calculated. Wind driftcalculations for different arrows with different ballistic coefficientscan be calculated, stored in memory, retrieved, and provided forreal-time calculation of a trajectory path and an impact location.

Consider an example in which the weapon targeting system, a weapon, anelectronic device, or an HPED communicates with an Internet service, webapplication, or software application to receive real-time weatherinformation, such as wind speed, wind direction, ambient air density,and other ambient conditions for a specified or determined geographicallocation. This information is then used to calculate the impact locationof the projectile fired from the weapon at this geographical location.

FIG. 2 is a method to present a desired target impact location (DTIL) ora bullseye location on a target.

Block 200 states activate a weapon targeting system.

The weapon targeting system can be activated manually or automatically.For example, a shooter activates the weapon targeting system with afinger, hand, voice, or human effort. For instance, the weapon includesone or more of hardware, software, electronics, a sensor, a switch, atrigger, or a mechanism to turn the weapon targeting system on and off.By way of example, a shooter places his finger or hand at apredetermined location on the weapon to activate the weapon targetingsystem. As another example, a shooter pulls a string of a bow back withan arrow engaged, and this action activates the weapon targeting system.As yet another example, the weapon targeting system automaticallyactivates at a certain time of day, at a certain geographical location,when the weapon is in a certain physical orientation, when the weapon isgripped, when the weapon determines a presence of a target, when theweapon is aimed at a target, etc. As yet another example, a userinteracts with a handheld portable electronic device (HPED), wearableelectronic device (WED), or electronic device that communicates with theweapon in order to activate the weapon targeting system.

Consider an example in which a bow and arrow includes or communicateswith a weapon targeting system. When the bow aims to a location on theground that is proximate or near the bow or a user, then the weapontargeting system deactivates. When the bow aims to a location away fromthe ground or to a target, then the weapon system activates.

Block 210 states acquire and/or select a target.

The target can be acquired and/or selected manually or automatically.For example, a shooter aims the weapon at a target, and this actionselects the target. As another example, the shooter selects a targetbeing displayed on a display or being visible through an electronicscope or lens. As another example, a third party (e.g., not the shooterof a weapon) interacts with a HPED to select a target and sends thisselection to the shooter and/or weapon. As another example, a computerautomatically selects a target for a user.

Consider an example in which the target is transmitted to or provided tothe weapon from a remote electronic device, such as a server, asatellite, an HPED, a WED, or another weapon. For instance, a thirdparty or computer receives images that show a field of view of where aweapon is being aimed. These images include multiple different targetsand/or objects. The third party or computer performs object recognitionand analysis on the images, selects one of the objects as being thetarget, and transmits this target to the weapon and/or the shooter.

Consider an example in which the shooter selects the target with theweapon, an HPED, or a WED. For instance, the shooter uses thermalimagery electronics to locate an object in a field-of-view of a pair ofelectronic glasses and interacts with an interface on the weapon toselect this object as the target. For instance, the shooter hits theobject with light (such as laser light or infrared light) in order toinstruct the weapon that selected object is the target. As anotherexample, the shooter provides verbal instructions to a natural languageinterface to communicate with the weapon and/or weapon targeting systemto select an object as a target that appears on a display.

Consider an example in which a shooter uses voice and/or gesturecommands to guide or move a target selector along a display until thetarget selector is on a desired target.

Block 220 states identify the acquired and/or selected target.

The target can be identified manually or automatically. For example, ashooter states a name of the target (such as stating the target is deeror stating the name of a person or an object). As another example,facial recognition software, animal recognition software, or objectrecognition software identifies the target. For instance, an image ofthe target is compared with images stored in a database or memory todetermine that the target is a black bear. As another example, facialrecognition software identifies a person that is determined to be thetarget. As yet another example, a GPS location of the target identifiesthe target. For instance, GPS coordinates of the selected target arereferenced with an electronic map to determine that the target is abuilding, an automobile, a tree, or a target on an archery range.

Consider an example in which an electronic component of the weapontargeting system captures an image of an object and determines thisobject is a target. An image of this object is compared with imagesstored in a database to determine a type or identity of the object. Forinstance, facial recognition software determines an identity of aperson, or object recognition software determines the object is a femaledeer (a doe) or a male deer (a buck). The weapon targeting systemdetermines a bullseye location or a DTIL on the target based on anidentity of the object. For instance, the target is identified as anenemy combatant, and the DTIL is placed on a location of the target towound or injure, but not kill, the target. As another instance, theobject is identified as an animal, and the DTIL is placed on a locationto kill the particular type of identified animal.

Block 230 states determine a desired target impact location (DTIL) or abullseye location on the target.

The DTIL or bullseye location can be determined manually orautomatically. For example, an electronic device determines the DTIL orbullseye location on an animal to be a location through which theprojectile will hit the heart of the animal. As another example, asoftware application determines that a center of a target is the DTIL orbullseye location. As yet another example, a shooter determines that theDTIL or bullseye location is a location on an animal that will wound butnot kill the animal. As yet another example, a weapon receives adetermination that a bullseye location on an automobile is a front tire.

Block 240 states present the DTIL or the bullseye location on or withthe target.

The DTIL or the bullseye location can be presented on or with the targetwith an audible indication and/or a visual indication. For example, theDTIL or bullseye location appears as an image on a display, in anelectronic scope, on a lens, on the target itself, as a projection, orin an area or space (e.g. space located between the weapon and thetarget). For instance, a two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D)image presents a location for the DTIL or bullseye location. As anotherinstance, a laser spot, infrared spot, or source of electromagneticradiation appears on the target. As another example, a visual indicationappears on a display of a WED or a pair of WEG that a shooter wearswhile aiming a weapon at the target. The visual indication coincideswith a location of a target that is in front of the shooter such thatthe visual indication appears to the shooter to be located on thetarget. The visual indication, however, is not actually located on thetarget but appears on the display of the WED or WEG.

Consider an example in which visual indicia or a visual indication (suchas a circle, a dot, reticles, or cross-hairs) appears on a display of anelectronic device that communicates with a weapon aimed at a target.This indicia or indication moves with movement of the weapon in order toshow in real-time an impact location for a projectile fired from theweapon. In addition to showing the indicia or indication, the displayalso displays a field of view of the weapon and/or shooter, and thisfield of view includes a selected physical target that is locatedseveral hundred meters away from the electronic device and the shooter.The display of the electronic device displays the indicia or indicationsuch that it appears on, over, or with the selected physical target.

Consider an example in which an electronic tactical weapons scopemounted to a weapon places a dot or image on a target to indicate a DTILor bullseye location on this target.

Block 250 states adjust the DTIL or bullseye location so it remains onthe target while the target moves.

The DTIL or bullseye location tracks and/or follows the target andremains at a consistent location as the target moves. For example, theDTIL or bullseye location simultaneously moves with the target whilestaying at a fixed location on or over the target.

Consider an example in which a bullseye location displays on a displayof wearable electronic glasses and appears on or over a front shoulderof a deer that is visible through the wearable electronic glasses. Asthe deer moves, this bullseye location moves on the display and remainson the front shoulder of the deer.

Block 260 states adjust the impact location as the weapon moves.

The impact location tracks and/or follows movement of the weapon inreal-time such that at any given point in time the impact location showswhere the project will strike the target or another object if the weaponis fired at the given point in time. For example, the impact locationsimultaneously moves with movement of the weapon.

Consider an example in which an impact location displays on a display ofwearable electronic glasses and appears on or over a deer as a shooterpoints a weapon at the deer that is visible through the wearableelectronic glasses. As the weapon and/or the deer move, a location ofthe impact location changes in real-time to correspond with thismovement. For example, the weapon targeting system continuously,continually, or periodically calculates the impact location based on aposition of the target and/or of the weapon. As another example, theweapon targeting system calculates the impact location in response todetecting movement of the weapon, movement of the target, and/or achange in a factor used in calculating the impact location (e.g., achange in an environment condition, such as wind speed or winddirection).

FIG. 3 is a method to superimpose an image on a target.

Block 300 states determine a target at which a weapon is pointed.

A target can be determined manually (e.g., a user identifies a target toa weapon or the weapon system) or determined automatically (e.g., anelectronic device alone or in conjunction with a user identifies atarget). For example, object or facial recognition software identifiesan object from a digital image, a photo, or a video. For instance, aweapon targeting system identifies objects that appear in a scope, in asight, on a display, on or through an electronic device (such as acamera, pair of WEG, a WED, an HPED, or an electronic device).

Block 310 states select an image to superimpose on the target.

An image can be selected manually (e.g., a user selects an image) orselected automatically (e.g., an electronic device alone or inconjunction with a user selects an image). For example, a user or anelectronic device selects one or more images from a library of images,from memory, or generates an image.

Selection of the image can be based on one or more of the following:content of the target, identification of the target, a size of thetarget, a shape of the target, a geographical location of the target, aspeed of the target, a proximity of the target to another object, adanger or threat associated with the target, a random selection, aprevious selection, user input, user preferences, a user profile, etc.

Block 320 states superimpose the image on the target.

The image is partially or fully superimposed on, positioned on,positioned over, or overlaid on the target. Further, the image canpartially or fully occlude the target, enhance the target, modify thetarget, brighten the target, make the target more visible, etc.

Block 330 states present the superimposed image on the target.

The superimposed image can be stored in memory, transmitted, and/orprovided to a user or to an electronic device. For example, a display ofan electronic device displays the image (e.g., displayed on a pair ofWEG, a WED, an HPED, a scope, or a computer). The image on the displayappears to be on, over, in front of, or behind the target.

Block 340 states maintain the superimposed image on the target while thetarget and/or the weapon moves.

As the target and/or the weapon moves, the superimposed imagesimultaneously moves such that the superimposed image remains fixed onthe moving target. For example, the superimposed image remains in aconstant or fixed position on the target while the weapon moves fromshooter jitter and while the target also moves.

Modifications to the displayed target and/or the superimposed image onthe target can assist in differentiating or accentuating the target inan environment, tracking movement of the target, recognizing the target,distinguishing the target from its surroundings, aiming at and firing onthe target, and identifying the target. For example, the target may bedifficult to see due to darkness or low lighting conditions, distancefrom the weapon, fog, rain, snow, or other environmental conditions.

Modifications to the displayed target and/or the superimposed image onthe target include, but are not limited to, highlighting all of thetarget or a portion of the target, filling all of the target or aportion of the target with a color or light, accentuating a perimeter orboundary of the target with light, color, or an image, placing a photoor an image on or over the target, placing a virtual image or virtuallines on or over the target, placing an object or indicia on or over thetarget, changing a contrast, a brightness, or a color of the target,accentuating the target to make it more visible, changing or enlarging asize of the target, changing a shape of the target, replacing the targetwith an image, or changing objects on or near the target to accentuatethe target.

Consider an example in which a shooter views a target through anelectronic scope that is mounted to a weapon. The target is severalhundred feet from the shooter. A view of the target through the scope ispartially obscured with foliage, and the target is difficult to see dueto poor visibility. The weapon targeting system recognizes the target asa deer and provides an image of a red outline around the physicalboundary or body of the deer. This red outline appears in the electronicscope, accentuates the deer and its location, and makes the deer moreeasily viewed through the scope.

Consider an example in which a shooter aims a gun toward a group ofpeople.

The gun includes a camera and electronics that communicate with wearableelectronic glasses that the shooter wears. The glasses have a displaythat displays images or video in real time from the camera such that theshooter can see where the gun is aimed on the display of the glasses.Facial recognition software identifies an individual in the group as adangerous and wanted fugitive. Colored light is overlaid on theindividual in order to distinguish the fugitive from other people in thegroup. As the individual and group move, the overlay remains on thefugitive to facilitate distinguishing the fugitive from the other peoplein the group, tracking movements of the fugitive, aiming the gun on thefugitive, and firing the gun at the fugitive.

Consider an example in which a shooter practices shooting a weapon at abullseye target that consists of several concentric circles around acenter red dot. The shooter becomes accustomed to firing the weapon atthis bullseye target and achieves a high level of accuracy shooting thistarget. Subsequently, the shooter goes deer hunting and communicateswith the weapon and/or weapon targeting system to superimpose an imageof the bullseye target on a deer since the shooter is accustomed toshooting the bullseye target and maintains a high level of accuracy on atarget in the shape of a bullseye with concentric circles and a centerred dot. While hunting, the weapon targets a deer through an electronicscope mounted to the weapon. The electronic scope and/or weapontargeting system identifies the target as a deer and superimposes animage of the bullseye target on the deer such that the center red dot ofthe bullseye target remains fixed on a kill spot of the deer. Theshooter moves and aims the weapon to fire on the bullseye targetdisplayed through the scope. From the point of view of the shooter, theshooter sees and fires the weapon on the bullseye target being displayedthrough the scope as opposed to the shooter seeing and firing the weaponon the deer being displayed through the scope. The bullseye target canocclude all of the deer or a portion of the deer. Alternatively, thebullseye target is transparent or translucent and positioned to appearon, over, or in front of the deer.

Traditionally, shooters look down a line of sight of a weapon in orderto aim the weapon. The shooter fires the weapon at a target when asighting device (such as an iron sight or an optical sight or telescopicsight) on the weapon aligns with the target. The weapon targeting systemof example embodiments can acquire targets, select targets, tracktargets, aim at targets, and fire on targets with or without the use ofa sighting device. For example, instead of aiming the weapon with asighting device located on the weapon or aiming the weapon down the lineof sight, a shooter interacts with visual information presented on adisplay of an HPED, WEG, or WED that is in communication with theweapon. As another example, a shooter can also interact with visualinformation presented with or from a sighting device. For instance, theweapon targeting system presents visual information on a display of anelectronic scope that is mounted to or attached to the weapon.

Consider an example in which a shooter wears wearable electronic glasses(WEG) that communicate with a camera, image capturing electronics,and/or other electronics on a weapon (such as electronics on a gun or abow of a bow and arrow). When the weapon targeting system activates, ared dot appears on a display of the WEG and represents an impactlocation where a projectile fired from the weapon will hit. The red dottracks and follows in real time movement of the weapon and provides avisual location on the display of the WEG for where or what theprojectile will impact. The shooter moves the red dot onto an object inthe field of view of the WEG, and selection of this object as the targetoccurs. For instance, the shooter provides an input to the weapontargeting system to select this object as the target. Alternatively, theweapon targeting system identifies and selects the object as the targetand presents this selection to the shooter (such as highlighting thetarget on the display of the WEG or providing visual indicia on thedisplay to indicate the object is the target). The weapon targetingsystem retrieves and/or processes information about the target,determines a bullseye location on the target based on this information,and places a bullseye or other visible indicia on the target to show theshooter where to aim and fire the weapon. This bullseye appears on thedisplay of the WEG along with the red dot. The shooter moves the weaponto position the red dot on or over the bullseye location. When the reddot is on, over, or aligns with the bullseye location, the shooter orthe weapon targeting system fires the weapon, and the projectile firedfrom the weapon impacts the target at the bullseye location.

Consider an example in which a shooter wears a wearable electronicdevice (WED) that communicates with a laser or light emitting device andother electronics on a weapon. The laser follows the line of departureof the projectile from the weapon and represents a theoretical locationwhere the projectile would hit if the projectile traveled in a straightline along the line of departure with no effects from drag, gravity,environmental conditions, etc. The WED and/or weapon targeting systemadjusts the location of where the laser impacts an object to take intoaccount drag, gravity, environmental conditions, etc. and uses thelocation of the laser to calculate an impact location of a projectilefired from the weapon. A display of the WED projects or displays theimpact location to the shooter such that the shooter sees on the displaywhere and what the projectile will impact. As the weapon moves frombeing pointed at a first object to a second object, the impact locationon the display simultaneously moves from being located at the firstobject to being located at the second object. The weapon can thereforebe aimed on an object by placing the impact location shown on thedisplay over or on the object also shown on the display. When the weaponis fired, the projectile will strike the object at the location of whereimpact location is positioned on the object being displayed. A shootercan thus hold, aim, and fire the weapon without actually looking at thetarget, but looking at the impact location and the target on thedisplay.

FIG. 4 is a method to fire a weapon for a shooter when an impactlocation moves onto or over a desired target impact location.

Block 400 states present an impact location and a desired target impactlocation (DTIL) on a target. The impact location represents where aprojectile fired from a weapon will impact the target, and the DTILrepresents a desired location to hit the target with the projectile.

By way of example, the impact location and the DTIL are displayed on adisplay, projected or transmitted (e.g. onto the target or anotherobject or location), and/or provided as two or three dimensional images.

Block 410 states notify a user when the impact location is proximateand/or approaching to the DTIL.

The weapon targeting system notifies the user or a shooter when theimpact location is near, adjacent, proximate, and/or approaching theDTIL. This notification alerts, warns, or notifies the user or theshooter that the weapon is about to fire automatically. As such, theuser or the shooter is not surprised when the weapon discharges theprojectile since the weapon targeting system notified the user or theshooter before firing the weapon.

By way of example, notifications to the user or the shooter include, butare not limited to, providing an audible sound, providing indicia on adisplay, providing a visual cue, providing tactile feedback, andenlarging one or more of the target, the DTIL, and the impact location.

Block 420 states fire the weapon when the impact location moves onto orover the DTIL.

When a shooter pulls a trigger or actuates a firing mechanism to fire aweapon, human jitter can cause the weapon to move unintentionally and tomiss the intended point of impact on the target. An example embodimentreduces or eliminates human jitter since the weapon automatically firesfor the shooter when the impact location being displayed moves onto,over, or near the bullseye location also being displayed. The shooter isnot required to pull a trigger or actuate a firing mechanism to fire theweapon when the impact location aligns with the bullseye location.Instead, the weapon automatically fires when the impact location crossesor passes onto the bullseye location or DTIL.

Consider an example in which a shooter wears a wearable electronicdevice (WED) with a display that shows an impact location of where abullet fired from a rifle will impact a moving target and shows a DTILof a preferred location to strike the target with the bullet. In orderto aim the rifle, the shooter is not required to look down the barrel ofthe rifle, down the line of sight, or through a scope mounted to therifle. Instead, the shooter aims the weapon by viewing the display ofthe WED and by moving or pointing the weapon to place the impactlocation on the DTIL. When the impact location moves onto or near thetarget but not yet onto the DTIL, the wearable electronic devicegenerates or provides a beeping sound or visual notification to notifythe shooter that the impact location approaches the DTIL. When theimpact location moves onto the DTIL, the weapon automatically fires theprojectile at the target to strike the DTIL.

A user can hold, aim, and fire a weapon without actually looking at thetarget and/or without actually looking where the weapon is aimed orpointed. Instead, the weapon or another electronic device providesvisual information of where the weapon is aimed and provides thisinformation to the user on a display of a portable or handheldelectronic device. The display shows a view of where the weapon is aimed(such as field of view or point of aim of the weapon) or what the userwould see if the user were aiming the weapon (e.g., what the user wouldsee if the user were looking down the line of sight, looking through ascope mounted to the weapon, aiming the weapon with sights on theweapon, or otherwise aiming the weapon in a traditional manner).

Consider an example in which a weapon includes a camera or imagecapturing device, and a shooter wears electronic glasses that displayreal-time video of wear the weapon is aimed (e.g., shows the shooterwhat the shooter would see if looking down the line of sight and aimingthe weapon). The shooter extends the weapon around a corner of abuilding while keeping his head and body guarded behind a side of thebuilding. The camera on the weapon captures images and provides them tothe electronic glasses so the shooter is able to see around the cornerof the building without exposing himself. The camera captures an imageof a person, and the weapon targeting system identifies the person as anenemy combatant. An image of the person appears on the display and ishighlighted or emphasized to show that the person is a target. A desiredtarget impact location appears on the person on the display along withan impact location showing where the weapon is currently aimed. When theshooter moves the weapon such that the impact location coincides oroverlaps with the desired target impact location, the image of theperson on the display becomes highlighted with color or otherwiseemphasized to provide a visual signal to the shooter that the weaponwill fire. The shooter is thus able to aim and fire the weapon on atarget while remaining behind a corner of a building.

Consider an example in which a rifle includes a camera directed along aline of sight of the rifle to show where the rifle is aimed. Electronicglasses communicate with the rifle, receive real time video from thecamera, and display the real time video of where the rifle is aimed. Ashooter stands near a wall or tall embankment that is higher than aheight of the shooter. The shooter holds the rifle above his head so thecamera can see over the embankment or wall. The electronic glassesdisplay enemy combatants several hundred yards away. A weapon targetingsystem identifies the enemy combatants and calculates DTILs on thesecombatants. The display of the electronic glasses displays the DTILs anda current impact location showing where the rifle is aimed. When theimpact location coincides with a DTIL on the display, the shooter or theweapon targeting system fires the rifle. The shooter was able to aim andfire the rifle while remaining behind cover of the embankment or wall.

Consider an example in which a shooter views a target through anelectronic scope that is mounted to a rifle. The electronic scopedisplays an impact location for bullets fired from the rifle and a DTILon the target. When the shooter moves the rifle such that the impactlocation touches the DTIL, the rifle automatically fires.

In an example embodiment, the impact location and/or the DTIL arevisible or discernable on the target. For example, the impact locationand/or DTIL appear as images or light projected on or transmitted to thetarget. In another example embodiment, the impact location and/or theDTIL are not visible or discernable on the target. For example, theimpact location and/or the DTIL appear on a display of an electronicdevice but do not otherwise appear, project, or transmit to or on thetarget itself.

FIGS. 5A-5D show an electronic device 500 with a display 510 displayinga weapon targeting system that includes an impact location 520 and adesired target impact location 530 on a target 540.

FIG. 5A shows the target 540 displayed on the display 510 or seenthrough the display and/or electronic device. As an example, theelectronic device 500 is a HPED, a WED, or a computer in which thetarget 540 appears as an image on the display of the electronic device.As another example, the electronic device 500 is an electronic scope orWEG in which the target 540 is seen through the electronic device (suchas viewing the target through an electronic scope mounted on a weapon orviewing the target through a pair of electronic glasses while a wearerof the electronic glasses looks at the target).

FIG. 5A includes a visual indication or image 512 that provides adirection of where to aim the weapon toward the target. For example,when the impact location is not within a field of view of the user ornot currently being displayed (such as not visible or displayed to auser wearing a WED or WEG), then the image 512 appears to assist or todirect the user in finding the target and/or aiming the weapon towardthe target. The image includes a direction of where the impact locationis located outside of the field of view.

FIG. 5B shows the weapon targeting system (WTS) activated with thedisplay 510 displaying the impact location 520 and the desired targetimpact location 530. The display shows “WTS Tracking” and this messagesignifies that the weapon targeting system is activated and tracking thetarget 540. The desired target impact location 530 is superimposed on orover the target 540 on the display and shows a desired location to hitthe target with a projectile fired from the weapon. The impact location520 also appears on the display 510 and shows the current, real-timelocation of where the projectile with strike if fired from the weapon.As shown, the impact location 520 is not aligned with the desired targetimpact location 530. As such, if the weapon were fired, the projectilewould miss the target 540 but strike a location at the cross-hairs,reticles, or center “X” of the impact location 520.

The impact location 520 and the desired target impact location 530 arevisible to a user or wearer of the electronic device 500 since theselocations appear on the display 510. These locations may or may not bevisible to other persons as well. For example, the locations aretransmitted to another electronic device that displays the locations andfield of view of the user on a display to another person. As anotherexample, an electronic device transmits light onto the target such thatthe locations physically appear on the target and can be viewed with thenaked eye or with assistance from an electronic device.

As shown in FIG. 5C, when the impact location 520 moves within proximityof the target 540, the weapon targeting system provides a notificationor alert. By way of example, this notification or alert can signify thatthe weapon is ready to fire, the weapon is about to fire or will fire inthe immediate future, the impact location is aligned or almost alignedwith the desired target impact location, firing can commence, non-lethalfiring can commence (e.g., when the cross-hairs are on or near thetarget but not on the desired target impact location), lethal firing cancommence (e.g., when the cross-hairs are on the desired target impactlocation).

The notification or alert include, but is not limited to one or more of,an audible sound (e.g., a beep or other sound provided to a user), avisual message or visible indication (e.g., indicia or words appearingon the display, change to or addition of color, contrast, background,light, etc.), and tactile feedback (e.g., a vibration). By way ofexample, FIG. 5C shows a visual notification of the displayingpresenting the words “WTS: Ready Fire” and a change in color orbrightness of the impact location. For instance, the impact locationchanges to the color red (shown in FIG. 5C with the impact location 520having a darker shade).

FIG. 5D shows the impact location 520 aligned on the desired targetimpact location 530. Firing of the weapon at this moment will cause theprojectile to strike the target at the desired target impact location530. By way of example, the display 510 displays “WTS: Fire” to signifythe weapon is being fired.

By way of example, the alert or notification can occur when the impactlocation is near or proximate the DTIL, approaches the DTIL, is on orover the DTIL, aligns with the DTIL, etc. Alternatively, the alert ornotification can occur when the weapon is about to fire or is firing.

Consider an example in which a weapon targeting system tracks a targetwith a DTIL. A weapon moves to aim and fire on the target. When animpact location of a projectile from the weapon is on the target but notyet on the DTIL, the weapon targeting system provides the alert ornotification. Alternatively, the weapon targeting system provides thealert or notification when firing is imminent or when the weapon willfire within is certain time period (e.g., fire within the next onesecond or within the next two seconds or within the next three seconds,etc.).

FIG. 6 shows a user 600 interacting with a weapon targeting system toaim a weapon 610 with visual information presented in a field of view orfield of vision 620 on or through a pair of wearable electronic glasses(WEG) 630. By way of example, the field of view 620 includes mountains640, a tree 650, and a target 660 with the weapon being aimed at thetree 650. The WEG 630 displays an impact location 670 that appears tothe user be located on the tree 650 where the weapon 610 is aimed andalso displays a desired target impact location 680 that appears to theuser be located on the target 660. In order to fire on the target 660,the user 600 would move the weapon 610 toward the target until theimpact location 670 displayed on the WEG 630 coincides with or overlapson the desired target impact location 680.

In a traditional aiming position, for example, a user holds the rifle ina “natural point of aim” and aligns the rifle sights on the target withhis or her eye while looking down the line of sight of the weapon. In anexample embodiment, the weapon targeting system enables a user to aimand to fire the weapon at a precise and desired location on a targetwithout the user looking down the line of sight or without the userholding the weapon in a traditional aiming position.

FIG. 6 shows the weapon 610 held to a right side of the user 600 (suchas the user holding the weapon at his or her waist) while the user looksat the target 660 through the WEG 630. Here, the user is free to movehis or her head away from the line of sight of the weapon since the usersees the target 660, the desired target impact location 680, and theimpact location 670 while looking through the WEG 630. The user is notrequired to focus his or her eyes on the sights of the weapon (such asiron sights or reticles in a scope), but instead can focus on objects inthe field of view while aiming and firing the weapon on the target.

In addition to displaying the impact location 670 and the desired targetimpact location 680, the WEG 630 can also display a trajectory path 690of the projectile before, during, or after the projectile is fired fromthe weapon 610. The trajectory path or flight path of the projectile isthe path that the projectile follows through space after being firedfrom the weapon.

A visual view of the trajectory path can assist the user in aiming theweapon and determining whether or not to fire upon the target. Forexample, in some situations, it may be difficult for the user to spot orsee the impact location (e.g., when the impact location is a fardistance from the user, when the weapon is not pointed at an object orpointed into air or space, when the impact location is not in the fieldof view of the user, when the weapon is pointed behind the user, etc.).In these instances, the trajectory path shows where the weapon ispointed and also shows the flight path of the projectile even though theuser may not be able to see the actual impact location. In othersituations, a user may desire to see a trajectory path of the projectilebefore the projectile is fired from the weapon. The trajectory path, forexample, may show that the projectile will hit or near miss anunintended object that is not the target.

Consider an example in which a shooter wears electronic night visiongoggles that communicate with a weapon targeting system while aiming aweapon at a target. Due to distance from the target and poor lightingconditions, the shooter is not able to see an impact location on thetarget. The goggles, however, display to the user a forecasted orprojected trajectory path of a projectile fired from the weapon. Thistrajectory path shows the path of the projectile from the weapon to theimpact location on the target. Light illuminates the trajectory path ona display of the goggles so the user can determine whether to fire theweapon.

Consider an example in which a user aims a rifle with an electronicscope at a target located in a wooded area. The electronic scopepredicts a trajectory path of a bullet fired from the weapon based onthe current aim of the rifle and displays this trajectory path to theuser in the electronic scope. This trajectory path show that a bulletfired from the rifle at its current position will travel near or throughnumerous branches in a tree in the wooded area.

FIGS. 7A-7D show an electronic device 700 having a display 710 thatdisplays a target augmented with an image.

FIG. 7A shows the target 720 with an image 730A displayed on or over thetarget 720. By way of example, the image 730A is a bullseye location ora desired target impact location on the target 720. The image 730Aoverlays on or augments the target 720 and/or occludes or blocks aportion of the target 720.

FIG. 7B shows an image 730B displayed on or over the target such thatthe target is not visible on the display 710. By way of example, theimage 730B is a bullseye location or a desired target impact locationthat overlays on or augments the target and/or occludes or blocks a viewof the target. For instance, the target is removed, covered, or hiddensuch that the shooter sees the image 730B without seeing the target.

FIG. 7C shows an enlarged image 730C displayed on or over the targetsuch that the target is not visible on the display 710. By way ofexample, the enlarged image 730C is a bullseye location or a desiredtarget impact location that overlays on or augments the target and/oroccludes or blocks a view of the target. For instance, the target isremoved, replaced, covered, or hidden such that the shooter sees theimage 730C without seeing the target.

FIG. 7D shows an image 730D displayed on or over the target such thatthe target is not visible on the display 710. By way of example, theimage 730D is an automobile with a bullseye location or a desired targetimpact location 740 that overlays on or augments the target and/oroccludes or blocks a view of the target. For instance, the target isremoved, replaced, covered, or hidden such that the shooter sees theimage 730D without seeing the target.

In FIG. 7B-7D, objects in the field of view of the user are visible tothe user except for the target. Thus, even though the target isphysically in the field of view of the user, this target is not visibleto the user since the image 730B, 730C, and 730D blocks or occludes theview of the target. The image is a visual substitute for the target. Inother words, instead of seeing the target in the field of view, the usersees the image that appears at a same location where the target isphysically located. The image can have a same size and shape as thetarget or have a different size and shape of the target.

In an example embodiment, the target being displayed on the display orseen through the display is replaced with an image that includes or isan image of the bullseye location such that the target is not visible onor through the display but is replaced with the image. The image and thetarget can also be viewed together (e.g., the image being transparent ortranslucent).

Consider an example in which a hunter hunts deer at dusk with poor orfading lighting conditions. The hunter sees a deer several hundredmeters away through an electronic scope mounted to a rifle. Due to thedistance and lighting conditions, the deer is not fully or clearlyvisible through the electronic scope. A weapon targeting system providesan animated image on or over a location of the deer in the electronicscope so the hunter can clearly see the deer through the electronicscope. By way of example, the animated image replaces the deer andappears brighter or more discernable in the electronic scope. As anotherexample, the animated image augments the deer and provides a highlightedoutline or visible lines around or within a perimeter or externaloutline of a body of the deer. The lines follow a contour of the body ofthe deer and/or fill the deer in order to exaggerate, emphasize, and/orhighlight the physical location and boundary of the deer.

Consider an example in which a soldier wears WEG while targeting avehicle at night with a weapon. The vehicle is not readily discernablewith a naked eye of the soldier due to distance of the vehicle anddarkness. A weapon targeting system determines a location of the vehiclewith infrared sensors and presents an animated or augmented image of thevehicle on the display of the WEG. This animated or augmented image onthe display includes bright lines that trace or sketch what the vehiclelooks like at its current location. Since the lines are clearly visiblethrough the WEG, the soldier can aim and fire the weapon on the vehicle.

Consider an example in which a shooter is game hunting and prefers toaim and fire on a square haystack instead of the animal being hunted.The weapon targeting system detects and tracks the animal target andsuperimposes a square haystack over the animal such that the shootersees the square haystack instead of the animal. The square haystacksimultaneously moves in unison with and in real-time with the animal. Abullseye location shown on the square haystack coincides with a bullseyelocation on the animal. As such, when the shooter aims and fires theweapon on the bullseye location of the haystack, the projectile firedfrom the weapon hits the bullseye location on the animal. For instance,if the game target were a deer, the bullseye location would correspondwith a location that would kill the deer.

FIGS. 8A-8C show an electronic device 800 having a display 810 thatdisplays a target 820 augmented with an image.

FIG. 8A shows the target 820 with an image 840 shown as a bullseyelocation or a desired target impact location that appears on or over thetarget 820. Other objects 850A, 850B, and 850C surround the target orare proximate to the target. These objects, however, do not obstruct thetarget or otherwise interfere with safely firing on the target with theweapon. The image 840 is fully displayed and visible, and a weapon cansafely fire on the target without hitting other objects or riskingcollateral damage.

FIG. 8B shows the target 820 with the image removed since the object850A obstructs the target or otherwise interferes with safely firing onthe target with the weapon. Removal of the image signifies to theshooter that it is not desirable or not safe to fire on the target. Thetarget 820 is augmented, highlighted, or distinguished so the shootercan visually track the target while the image is removed. By way ofexample, an outer perimeter of the target is highlighted with visiblelines on the display (shown with a darker or thicker line) to enable theshooter to see and follow the target while object 850A partiallyobstructs, hides, or hinders firing on the target.

FIG. 8C shows the target 820 with the image 840 repositioned or replacedback on the target since the object 850A no longer obstructs the targetor otherwise interferes with safely firing on the target with theweapon. Replacement of the image back onto the target signifies to theshooter that it is desirable or safe to fire the weapon on the target. Aprojectile fired from the weapon has an unobstructed trajectory path tothe target.

FIG. 9 is a weapon targeting system 900 that includes one or more of thefollowing: weapons 910A and 910B with an electronic device orelectronics 912A and 912B, a server 920, a database 930 or otherstorage, a handheld portable electronic device or HPED 940, a wearableelectronic device or WED 950, wearable electronic glasses or WEG 960, anelectronic device 970 (such as a computer, an electronic scope, camera,a weapon, an arrow, a projectile, or other electronic device), and oneor more networks 980 through which electronic devices can communicate(such as wirelessly communicate).

FIG. 10 is an electronic device 1000 that includes one or more of thefollowing: a processing unit or processor 1010, a computer readablemedium (CRM) or memory 1020, a display 1030, one or more interfaces 1040(such as a network interface, a graphical user interface, a naturallanguage user interface, and/or an interface that combines reality andvirtuality), a battery or a power supply 1050, wireless communication1060, and a weapon targeting system 1070 (such as a system that executesone or more example embodiments discussed herein).

FIG. 11 is an electronic device 1100 that includes one or more of thefollowing: a processing unit or processor 1110, a computer readablemedium (CRM) or memory 1120, a display 1130, one or more interfaces 1140(such as a network interface, a graphical user interface, a naturallanguage user interface, and/or an interface that combines reality andvirtuality), one or more recognizers 1150 (such as object recognitionsoftware, facial recognition software, and/or animal recognitionsoftware), one or more sensors 1160 (such as micro-electro-mechanicalsystems sensor, a motion sensor, an optical sensor, radio-frequencyidentification sensor, a global positioning satellite sensor, a solidstate compass, gyroscope, an accelerometer, a draw length sensor for astring on a bow, and/or a weather sensor), a camera 1170, a globalpositioning system or GPS 1180, a distance determiner 1190 (such as alaser, a rangefinder, a camera, and/or a camera), an orientationdeterminer 1192 (such as a tilt sensor, inclinometer, and/or anaccelerometer), and an environmental determiner 1194 (such as athermometer, a barometer, a humidity sensor, a wind vane, an anemometer,a compass, and/or software to obtain weather or environmental conditionsdata).

FIGS. 10 and 11 show various components in a single electronic device.One or more of these components can be distributed or included invarious electronic devices, such as some components being included in anHPED, some components being included in a server, some components beingincluded in storage accessible over the Internet, some components beingin wearable electronic devices or a weapon or projectile, and somecomponents being in various different electronic devices that are spreadacross a network, a cloud, and/or a weapon targeting system.

The processing unit or processor (such as a central processing unit,CPU, microprocessor, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC),etc.) controls the overall operation of memory (such as random accessmemory (RAM) for temporary data storage, read only memory (ROM) forpermanent data storage, and firmware). The processing unit or processorcommunicates with memory and performs operations and tasks thatimplement one or more blocks of the flow diagrams discussed herein. Thememory, for example, stores applications, data, programs, algorithms(including software to implement or assist in implementing exampleembodiments) and other data.

One or more aspects of the weapon target system can be included with thearrow, such as an arrow described in United States patent applicationentitled “Arrow with Electronic Device” and having Ser. No. 14/185,878,which is incorporated herein by reference.

Blocks and/or methods discussed herein can be executed and/or made by auser, a user agent of a user, a software application, an electronicdevice, a computer, and/or a computer system.

As used herein, “bullseye location” is a center of a target, a killlocation of a living target, or a desired location to hit a target witha projectile fired from a weapon. For example, a bullseye location canbe a central or center area of a target. As another example, a bullseyelocation can be an intended or desired location or area on a target(such as a designated spot or location on an animal, a human, or anobject). The bullseye location is not restricted to being designatedwith a certain type of indicia, visual identification, and/or audioidentification.

As used herein, “drag” is a retarding force on a projectile caused byair resistance.

As used herein, a “desired target impact location” or “DTIL” is adesired location to hit a target with a projectile fired from a weapon.

As used herein, “drift” is a deviation from a path of flight of aprojectile due to rotation or spin of the projectile. Drift can also beapplied to affects from wind.

As used herein, “drop” is a distance that a projectile falls from theline of departure to the ballistic trajectory at a given distance.

As used herein, “field of view” or “field of vision” is the extent ofthe observable world that is seen or captured at a given moment. Forexample, without mechanical assistance, humans have almost one hundredand eighty (180) degrees of forward-facing field of view with about onehundred and twenty (120) degrees of this field being binocular vision.

As used herein, “impact location” is a location where a projectile firedfrom a weapon impacts an object.

As used herein, the “line of departure” is a straight line that extendsfrom a centerline or an axis of a bore of a gun or along a mounted arrowin a bow.

As used herein, the “line of sight” is a straight line that extends fromthe scope or other sighting apparatus to the point of aim.

As used herein, the “line of trajectory” or the “ballistic trajectory”is the line or flight path that a projectile follows while in flight.

As used herein, a “weapon” includes firearms (such as portable guns),archery (such as bow and arrows), light weapons, heavy weapons, andother weapons that launch, fire, or release a projectile.

As used herein, a “wearable electronic device” is a portable electronicdevice that is worn on or attached to a person. Examples of such devicesinclude, but are not limited to, electronic watches, electronicnecklaces, electronic clothing, head-mounted displays, electroniceyeglasses or eye wear (such as glasses in which an image is projectedthrough, shown on, or reflected off a surface), electronic contactlenses, an eyetap, handheld displays that affix to a hand or wrist orarm, and HPEDs that attach to or affix to a person.

In some example embodiments, the methods illustrated herein and data andinstructions associated therewith are stored in respective storagedevices, which are implemented as computer-readable and/ormachine-readable storage media, physical or tangible media, and/ornon-transitory storage media. These storage media include differentforms of memory including semiconductor memory devices such as DRAM, orSRAM, Erasable and Programmable Read-Only Memories (EPROMs),Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read-Only Memories (EEPROMs) andflash memories; magnetic disks such as fixed, floppy and removabledisks; other magnetic media including tape; optical media such asCompact Disks (CDs) or Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs). Note that theinstructions of the software discussed above can be provided oncomputer-readable or machine-readable storage medium, or alternatively,can be provided on multiple computer-readable or machine-readablestorage media distributed in a large system having possibly pluralnodes. Such computer-readable or machine-readable medium or media is(are) considered to be part of an article (or article of manufacture).An article or article of manufacture can refer to any manufacturedsingle component or multiple components.

Method blocks discussed herein can be automated and executed by acomputer, computer system, user agent, and/or electronic device. Theterm “automated” means controlled operation of an apparatus, system,and/or process using computers and/or mechanical/electrical deviceswithout the necessity of human intervention, observation, effort, and/ordecision.

The methods in accordance with example embodiments are provided asexamples, and examples from one method should not be construed to limitexamples from another method. Further, methods discussed withindifferent figures can be added to or exchanged with methods in otherfigures. Further yet, specific numerical data values (such as specificquantities, numbers, categories, etc.) or other specific informationshould be interpreted as illustrative for discussing exampleembodiments. Such specific information is not provided to limit exampleembodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: wirelessly receiving, atwearable electronic glasses (WEG) worn on a head of a user, video of atarget captured with a camera mounted to a rifle of the user while apoint of aim of the rifle is directed at the target; and simultaneouslydisplaying, with a display of the WEG worn on the head of the user, areticle that shows the point of aim of the rifle, an augmented reality(AR) image superimposed on the target, and a desired target impactlocation (DTIL) on the target that shows a desired location where to hitthe target with a bullet fired from the rifle.
 2. The method of claim 1further comprising: moving the reticle shown with the display of the WEGto coincide with real-time movements of the point of aim of the rifle;moving the AR image to maintain the AR image superimposed on the targetwhile at least one of the target and the rifle moves; and moving theDTIL to maintain the DTIL on the target while at least one of the targetand the rifle moves.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the AR image isan image of the target and has a size and a shape of the target.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the AR image highlights, with at least one ofcolor or light, a perimeter of the target to enhance a view of thetarget as seen with the display of the WEG.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the DTIL is an AR image of a red dot that appears on the target.6. The method of claim 1 further comprising: moving the DTIL on thedisplay of the WEG so that the DTIL follows the target and remains at afixed location on the target while the target moves.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the AR image includes lines that follow a contour of abody of the target to highlight the contour of the target, and thetarget is a person.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the cameracaptures infrared images of the target, and the AR image provides colorthat highlights within a perimeter of the target being displayed withthe WEG in order to enhance a view of the target to the user.
 9. Anon-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructionsthat cause one or more processors to execute a method, comprising:wirelessly receiving, at wearable electronic glasses (WEG) worn on ahead of a user, an infrared image of a target captured with a cameramounted to a rifle of the user while a point of aim of the rifle isdirected at the target; and simultaneously displaying, with a display ofthe WEG worn on the head of the user, a reticle that shows the point ofaim of the rifle, an augmented reality (AR) image over the infraredimage of the target in order to enhance a view of the target, and adesired target impact location (DTIL) on the target that shows a desiredlocation to hit the target with a bullet fired from the rifle.
 10. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions ofclaim 9, wherein the AR image is an animated image superimposed over thetarget to enhance the view of the target displayed to the user.
 11. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions ofclaim 9, wherein the AR image has a shape that follows a contour of theinfrared image of the target and highlights the contour to enhance theview of the target displayed to the user with the WEG.
 12. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions ofclaim 9, wherein the AR image is a three-dimensional (3D) image that hasa shape of the infrared image of the target and is superimposed over theinfrared image of the target.
 13. The non-transitory computer readablestorage medium storing instructions of claim 9 further comprising:transmitting, over a wireless network and from the WEG of the user toanother WEG of another user, the infrared image of the target capturedwith the camera mounted to the rifle of the user.
 14. The non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium storing instructions of claim 9,wherein the DTIL is an AR image of a bullseye.
 15. The non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium storing instructions of claim 9 furthercomprising: automatically firing the rifle when the reticle displayed onthe display of the WEG moves to be on the AR image that is over theinfrared image of the target displayed on the display of the WEG. 16.The non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructionsof claim 9, wherein the AR image replaces the infrared image of thetarget.
 17. Wearable electronic glasses (WEG) worn on a head of a user,comprising: electronics that wirelessly receive video of a targetcaptured with a camera attached to a rifle of the user when a point ofaim of the rifle is directed to the target; and a display that displaysa reticle that shows the point of aim of the rifle, an augmented reality(AR) image on the video at a location of the target, and a desiredtarget impact location (DTIL) on the target that shows a desiredlocation to hit the target with a bullet fired from the rifle.
 18. TheWEG of claim 17, wherein the AR image and the DTIL move in real-timewith movements of the rifle and the target such that the AR image andthe DTIL remain at the location of the target while the rifle and thetarget move, and the AR image provides at least one of color and lightto enhance a view of the target being displayed with the WEG.
 19. TheWEG of claim 17 further comprising: one or more sensors that sense aphysical orientation of the rifle and automatically deactivate a weapontargeting system (WTS) when the rifle is pointed to ground.
 20. The WEGof claim 17 further comprising: one or more sensors that sense aphysical orientation of the rifle and automatically activate a weapontargeting system (WTS) when the rifle is pointed in a first directionand automatically deactivate the WTS when the rifle is pointed in asecond direction, wherein the WTS tracks movement of the target andhighlights the target on the display of the WEG with the AR image toenhance a view of target being displayed to the user.